Stephen Dhieu wins SPLM gubernatorial primaries in Upper Nile
Dhieu secured 120 votes, defeating former governor Jacob Dollar and becoming the party's flag bearer for December 2026 elections.
Stephen Dhieu Dau won the SPLM gubernatorial primaries in Upper Nile State with 120 votes, becoming the party’s candidate for the December 2026 elections. SPLM Secretary-General Dr Akol Paul Kordit also named Dhieu the party’s chairperson for Upper Nile State. 13 candidates competed for the nomination.
Dhieu defeated former Upper Nile Governor Jacob Dollar, who received 12 votes, and East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament Kim Gai, who got three votes. The sole female aspirant, Advocate Ferida Philip Nyanan, received two votes. Gabriel Isaac came second with 38 votes and was confirmed as the deputy SPLM chairperson.
The primaries were supervised by a high-level SPLM National Leadership delegation led by Third Deputy Chairperson Simon Kun Puoch and Secretary-General Dr Akol Paul Kordit. The congress aimed to elect new state leadership and organise party structures ahead of the general elections.
Why it mattersSouth Sudanese voters in Upper Nile State will choose between party-nominated candidates in the December 2026 general elections.